British researchers have begun work on finding drugs which could spare women with two common breast cancer mutations from having to undergo preventative surgery, it has been announced.
The University College London researchers are studying a molecule called OPG, which they believe stops the development of breast cancer.
They have found that women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have unusually low levels of this molecule.
They have reported their findings in EbioMedicine.
According to their research, OPG blocks a protein called RANKL, which is one of the triggers for breast cancer. Its levels are increased by progesterone.
Researcher Professor Martin Widschwendter said: “Preventative surgery is quite a drastic measure and we’re unsatisfied with the situation – we are aiming to prevent breast cancer, and findings from our research are a significant step forward in demonstrating the importance of why further research is critical in this arena.
“Women who develop breast cancer as a consequence of their mutation develop cancers associated with poor prognoses that are difficult to treat.
"Prevention without surgery is the ultimate goal and this study is the first proof of principle – we have identified a new target we can now use to decrease breast cancer risk.”
Osteoprotegerin (OPG), The Endogenous Inhibitor of Receptor Activator of NF-?B Ligand (RANKL), is Dysregulated in BRCA Mutation Carriers. EbioMedicine in press; doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.08.037
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